The following movement task emerged from an encounter with an ancient Oak tree in late autumn. From this encounter I created a movement task to share along with an audio version which can be located at the bottom of the page.
Today, my movement practice has led me to an ancient woodland. I begin by wandering at first, following my feet, sensing a connection with the ground beneath me. My feet and breath fall into rhythm as I notice thoughts unravel and begin to slow. The trees here are also in a state of slowing in preparation for the winter months ahead, their metabolic and growth rate falling. It is time to rest and conserve energy. As I notice the last leaves falling I wonder what the trees might reveal to me about my natural longing for slowness and rest at this time of year? Fallen branches lean on one another, making contact, finding places to land. As I wander the woods, I find myself drawn to the spaces between trunks and branches and wonder If I myself might find a place to pause here. I listen to the way that leaves fall on wet ground. I sense trees breathing, entering into a state of deep rest. I think about creating spaces between the everyday for rhythm and rest.
The Spaces Between
A conversation between feet and breath
Weaving, wandering
Passing over and under threads of memory
I touch the earth and find my ground
For a moment of rest
And a softer gaze
Finding a space between
My attention gathers around fallen branches
. I move and follow, around edges and shapes
then slowly entering
Touched by moss,
Cradled by branch
Finding a space between
I allow myself to be held here
Suspended between thoughts and branches
Soft body among sprawling roots
While everything else is shifting
Finding a space between
Â
A Space Between the Trees - Movement task
Guidelines for following a movement task
Movement tasks are an invitation to carve out moments of pause and connection with the world around us as an everyday way of being. They serve as prompts for creating space for self-care, artistic expression, and the freedom to explore. Whether grounding us in times of uncertainty or guiding us toward a deeper sense of belonging, movement tasks offer gentle waymarkers along a path to feeling more at home in the world. The following movement task can be explored as a solo practice, or in a pair. If working in a pair, you might take it in turns to witness and 'hold the space' for one another.
Stepping out
Having everything you need to be outdoors for a while, including drawing or writing materials, head to a place that you know or feel a connection with where you know there are some trees. It could be somewhere close to you, such as a local woodland, a park or garden. As you step out of your door, create an imaginary line, or threshold crossing as you shift into a space free from planning and expectation. Mark the beginning of this movement task with an intention to wander and explore freely, allowing your experience to be just as it is.
Other humans!
Unless you are planning on finding somewhere very quiet to be, chances are you will encounter other people. I always find it useful to welcome others as part of the ever changing experience, moving through the landscape as other wildlife would. This is where working in pairs can support the experience.
Following the movement task
Once you have allowed yourself some time to arrive, spend a few moments reading, or listening to the movement task. You don't have to remember it all, and you don't need to get to the end, each section might be just enough for one outing. Just notice which parts resonate with you and let that be your starting point. If working in a pair you could explore reading the movement task to your partner, remembering to give enough space between each part.
Begin
By wandering. Notice your feet on the ground and then notice your breath. Allow the motion of your walking and breathing to gently fall into rhythm.
Notice if you are holding any desire to take a certain a path. Listen to your feet and see where they lead you, even if you reach a dead end, turn around and keep wandering.
Try exploring different paces, walking quickly and then slowly, and then even more slowly, and then stopping completely, Where do you experience motion?, which pace do you enjoy inhabiting most? Allow yourself to inhabit a pace that feels good for a while longer.
Come to a place of pause. As you stand, see if you can feel your sense of gravity. Play for a while, with your sense of gravity. Leaning backwards and forwards gently, or side to side. Notice where your body feels pulled. Notice the tipping points and edges of where you come in and out of balance. Feel the breeze around you as you move. Imagine yourself as tree, with the wind blowing through your branches.
Bring your body into a place of pause. Feel yourself planted in the ground and then slowly start to turn, forming a complete circle. Repeat your circle again, this time even more slowly, allowing yourself to receive the space around you. Take your time! Know that the trees are also slowing down.
When you feel the impulse to move again, take a look around, noticing the spaces between tree trunks and branches. If you feel called to wander towards a certain tree, find a way to approach gently, noticing if it feels ok to move closer. Take some time to inhabit this space for a while, allowing any movements to unfold and expand within the space, as if in conversation with the tree/s.
Allow a sense of feeling held here. Bring your attention back to your feet and breath. Notice all of the parts of yourself that are in contact with the ground/tree/s/atmosphere. When you are ready, gently bring your movement task to a close, finding a way to express gratitude for this encounter.
In the same way you began, create an imaginary line to cross over, as a way of closing and transitioning from this place to where you are going next.
You may wish to spend some time writing or drawing about your experience now, or later on. Simply allowing some space for any images or words to be expressed without judgment.
A Space Between the Trees: Audio Version
Comments